Wardrobe suitcase



NOV l H. J. SCHL-'CK WARDROBE SUITCASE Filed April 2, 1923 Patented New. i7, imi-5f.

UNITED STATES LEMAN TENT Frm HUGH J. SCH'U'CIK,` OF 3DES MOINES, IOWA.

WARDROBE SUITCASE.

Application filed April 2, 1923. erial No. 629,331.

`of Des Moines, in the county of Folk andn State of lowa, have invented a certain new and useful `ilfardrobe Suitcase, of which the following is a speciiication.

i which:

The object of my invent-ion'is to provide a vwardrobe`suitcase ofsimple,fdlurable and,

inexpensive construction. g,

`A further object is to provide a Wardrobe" suitcase of the kind under considera-tion made of parts hinged together in such a way that the bottom and sides may be laid out to form a flat base upon which folded clothes may be laid.

A further object is to provide a novel structure whereby the clothes may be held in position against the 'bottom and side walls of the suitcase when the suitcase is closed, for thereby affording a central .space in which is receiveda second receptacle and for holding garments with minimum creasing..

A further object is to provide improved means for conveniently supporting the second receptacle in the wardrobe suitcase.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in vthe construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated-are attained, as hereinafter more fully setV forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

Figure 1 shows a planview of the suitcase in its open position, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section.

Figure 2 shows an end`elevation of the suitcase, one side being open and laid down,

parts being broken away and parts beingshown in section.

Figure 8 shows a vertical, transverse sectional view through the suitcase closed.

Figure 4 shows a vertica1,detail, sectional viewtaken on the line 1 -4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a perspective, detail, sectional view illustrating the manner of ysupporting the interior receptacle at the upper end of the suitcase. l

Figure 7 is a detail, sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 2; and

Figure 8 shows a perspective, detail, sec` tional view of the meansfor holding the garments in the suitcase against the sides thereof.

My wardrobe suitcase consists of side and bottom members suitably hinged together.

Each side member consists of a substantially rectangular frame indicated in the accompanying drawingsby the reference character lfpreferably made of angle iron. The frame structure-Ein itself forms no part `of my present invention.

At the upper end of the suitcase, frame members 11 extendv horizontally inwardly from the corners.l The inner ends of the frame members llof each side of the suitcase are connected by a transverse frame member 12.

Extendi downwardly from the inner endv ofv eac frame member 1l is a frame member 13, which terminates at a point con- `gether at the ends of the suitcase in. any

suitable way as at 17. The lower edge-'s of the suitcase are rounded as shown in the drawings.

' The' sides of the suitcase are` covered by leather. or the like '18, which is extended entirely around the top, sides and bottom of the suitcase, preferably in ansingle piece, when the suitcase is closed, so as to leave enough material to permit the folding, as at 19, (Figure 4) whenthe suitcase is open. The leather or other dovering is fastened to the frame close u to the 'hinge lines, and

the hinges are ma eas shown, so that a de-K.A

pression is left to receive the folds inthe cpvering when the suitcase is open. (See lie-)ends of the sides are covered with leather 18 (see Figure 2) and secured outside` the leather or other covering material on the'frame members 13 and 14 of one side member is a strip or the like 20 to overlap the edges of the opposite side Amember and the edges of the bottom. y

The triangular sides of the bottom are covered by leather or the like 21. Any suitable covering may be employed.

The upper ends of the pair of frame members 10 of each side member are connected by a transverse frame member 10.

It will, of course, be understood that the upper end of each side is provided with a handle 22 and the coacting edges at the top of the case are provided with any suitable lock 23. f

It will be vnoted that when the wardrobe suitcase just described is fully opened, the side walls and the bottoml lie in the same plane and form an extended flat, horizontal surface upon which folded clothes or any other suitable contents may be conveniently and readily laid for maintaining such coutents in position.

Suitable means are provided for supporting the garments when the suitcase sides are swung from their laid out horizontal positions shown for instance in Figure 1 to their closed positions, as illustrated in Figure 3.

A rod 24 extends from the frame member 10B to the frame member 12 4of one side member of the suitcase preferably fmidway between the ends ofthe suitcase, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.

Garment hangers 25 may be hung on the rod 24 by means of hooks 26 as shown in said figures.

Another rod 24a may be similarly placed in the other side member and a dust cloth 24b extended between the hangers on the rods to protect the garments or other contents from dust and from contact with the inner container hereinafter mentioned.

At the upper end of the other side member at the opposite ends thereof flat spring members 27 are secured to the members 11 to hang downwardly, as shown for instance in Figures 1 and 2, and to normally stand inwardly from the ends of the suitcase as shown in Figure l, at the lower parts of the spring devices.

The spring devices are provided with holes which receive spindles 28 at the ends of a cross rod 29, shown in Figure 1, over which a garment or the like may be folded, as illustrated in Figure 3.

For snugly holding garments or other contents of the suitcase against the sides thereof, I have provided the following means:

Projecting inwardly from the members 10 are headed pins or the like 30. Cross bars 31 are provided with keyhole slots 32 to receive the pins 30. The pins 30 are arranged in opposite pairs so that when the suitcase is closed, the members of each pair will be at the same height, and by mounting the cross bar 31 on different pairs, the holding devices now under consideration may be adjusted to different heights with relation to the suitcase.

At each end of the .cross bar 31 is a member 33 projecting at right angles from the cross bar and having spaced pairs of opposite notches 34. (See Figures 2 and 8.)

Holding strips 35 of resilient material are provided with notches'36 at their ends. At each side of each notch 36, it will be seen that there is a projecting member 37 After the garment has been laced v in position, when the suitcase is laid out flat, the ends of the holding strip 35 are mounted on the members 33 for holding the garment or other contents of the suitcase in position.

It will be seen that the .extensions 37 are projected into an opposite pair of notches 34 at one end of the suitcase and the strip 35 is sprung to permit the vsimilar arrangement at the other end. When the strip 35 is released, it will hold the garment in position.

I have shown the holding devices just de`r scribed on one side only of the suitcase, but it will, of course, be understood that they may be used on the other side, and 'when used they will :hold the garments or `other articles snugly against the side walls.

The bars 31 may be adjusted toward the top or bottom of the suitcase andthe strips 35can be adjusted toward or from the bars 3l for accommodating these holding devices to the contents of the suitcase.

I use an inside container comprising a` boxlike member 38, having a side 39 hinged as at A40. (Figure 3.) Secured to the top side of the container 38 is a cross bar 41, shown in Figures 3 and 6, which projects beyond the ends of the containerv 38 slightly as shown in Figure 6. V

Parts of the niwardly projecting flanges of the frame members 13 4are cut and bent to form, when the suitcase is closed, the laterally projecting horizontal portions 42 terminating in the upwardly projecting portions 43 shown in Figure 6.

In closing the suitcase with the receptacle 38 therein, one side of the suitcase may be raised to vertical position, as shown -in Figure 2, and the bar 41 placed in position resting on the portion 42 of the suitcase side member that has been raised to vertical position. The other side member is then moved to closed position, whereupon the cross bar 41 will rest on the portions 42 of the different side members and between the members 43 of the different s ide members, and when the suitcase side members are latched or locked together, the container 38 will be supported from its top on the frame members 13 near the top of the suitcase, so that the inside container 38 is supported almost directly from the handles 22.

It is my purpose to support the inside,

- ineaaiv lt also makes it possible to avoid the necessity of some supporting velement projecting'A upwardly from the bottom oit the suitcase t vhold the container 38.

ln the larger sizes ont niy wardrobe suitcase, l provide the" following means for supporting the lwer ends of the container 38.

hand side member oit the suitcase are angle iron supporting brackets 44, shown in Figures l, 2 and 3; each having a itlange to rest beneath the lower part of themember 38 and aidangento rest against one side thereof, as shown for instance in liigure l.

'lhe members Phot the other side membery or the suitcase are provided at the inner edges ol their inwardly projecting danges with tongues 45, inclined toward the suitcase (see lligure 5).

Mounted in the vertical flanges in the the side oit members 14 now-under consideration and iiange member or supportingl bracket 47 de- V signed to support the bottom ot thecontainer 38 is inclined slightly downwardly toward its free end.

llVhen the suitcase side member now under consideration is raised from its position shown in Figure 2 to its position shown in Figure 3, the to oit the member 38 will engage the other ange of the member 47 for slightly rocking the spindle 46 until the lggacket 4 7 snugly ts against the container vln the practical 'use ot" my improved Wardrobe suitcase, the inside container 38 isI removed and the suitcase is openedto its fully extended position, whereupon anat bottom surface will be pro-vided for laying p out garments or the like.

The garments may be hung on the hangers 25 and it they are longer than the total length of the suitcase, as thus laid out, they may be folded over the cross rod 29. i 'lhe garments may then be snuglyheld against the side walls of the suitcase by meansof the strips 35 and the suitcase can be closed without disturbing the garments. x

lt will thus be seen that the garments will be held in such manner as to avoid'wrinkling them to the greatest possible extent.

Ordinarily after the lgarments have been placed in positiomone side, for instance the right side .of the suitcase as shown in Figure 2, is raised to its upright position. The con- Se'cured to the members 14 ofthe right-l yrotatably mounted tainer 38 is placed in position with the bai `4l resting on the member 42 of the right' hand side of the suitcase.

.Where the supportingbrackets 44 and 47 are used, the bottom of the member '38 will then rest on the braclrets 44, whereupon the lettk side ot the` suitcase is swung from its position shown in Figure 2 to its closed position shown in Figure 8. Y f. rlhe bar 4l will then rest upon the mem- Qber 42 at the left-hand side ol .the suite The suitcase can then be locked and case. the, member 38 will be supported from the top oit the suitcase almost directly from the handles 'as above stated. l

ln use, the Wardrobe suitcase enables the user to carry clothes and keep them in goedrv shape. rlh'e inner container may bey rel moved, the suitcase extended and hung in a `closet by one handle, land the garments will then be properly hung to avoid being wrinkled or pressed out of shape,.without removing them irointlie suitcase.'

Some changes may be made in' the coii struction and arrangement 'of the .various parts of my vwardrobe suitcasev without de.-4 l

parting trom the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it ism intention to cover by Amy claims, any modied terms ot structure or use ci` mechanical equivalents', which may be reasonably included within` their scope. a

l claim'as my invention: l. lnl a wardrobe-suitcase or the class de .scribed, having bottom and sidel members hinged together :to swing to position pro- -viding' a hat bottom from end to end ot the suitcase, an inner container inem-ber,- and means at the ends of said suitcase for supporting said inner member at its upper .portion and at its bottom portion in position spaced above the bottom of the suitcase..

2. lnl a wardrobe suitcase, a bottom member, sideinembers hinged thereto-t0 Swing" im.v

to position providing a flat bottom from end to end of the suitcase for receiving convtents, means for supporting such 'contents' adjacent to the top portionsol each oit said sides, a smaller container received within said suitcase and spaced from the .bottom and side Walls thereof and means on each ini.

side member at the ends of the suitcase for j members at the opposite ends of the suitcase for supporting the container from the upper part of the suitcase.

4. In a Wardrobe suitcase, a bottom member having triangular shaped ends, side members "hinged to said bottom member, having-Y end portions with inclined lower edges, said last end members being provided along their inclined lower edges with supporting devices, the supporting devices on one of saidend members being sligh-tly tiltable. v

5. In 'a wardrobe suitcase, a bottom member, side members hinged thereton to swing to position providing a lat bottom from end to end of the suitcase for receiving contents, means for supporting such contents adjacent to the top portions of each of said to position providing a fiat bottom front end to end of the suitcase for receiving contents, means Afor supporting such contents :.djacent to the top portions of each of said sides, means for holding such contents adj acent to the side Walls of the suitcase, comprising resilient cross bars and means for adjustment up and down xwith relation to the top of the suitcase'and toward and from the side wall thereof.

7. In a wardrobe suitcase, a bottom membcrhside members hinged thereto to swing to position providing a flat bottom from end to end of the suitcase for receiving contents, means't'or supporting such contents adjacent to the ton portions of each ot' said sides, a smaller container received within,

said suitcase and spaced from the bottom and side walls thereof, each side member having supporting devices near its top at its ends, and a projecting coacting cross bar on said container. t j

Des Moines, Iowa, March 24, 1923.

HUGH J. scHUoK. 

